Filing device



J. B. BROWN FILING DEVICE Nov. 15, 1932.

Filed Oct. 4, 1929 INVENTOR J/mes B. Bacwu fiflwi wm ATTOR N EYS Patented Nov. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES JAMES B. BROWN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN" I FILING nnvIoE Application an October 4, 1929. Serial No. 397,231.

This invention relates to filingdevices and more particularly to convenient V and inexpensive equipment for filing drawings, blueprints, maps, and the like. 7 Drawings and maps such as'those used by architects, builders and engineers are not easily filed and maintained in accessible arrangement. Commonly such drawings are merely rolled and disposed in acorner of 10 the room where they are used. Thus they accumulate dust and dirt and are frequently torn or disfigured. Sometimes the drawings are stored flat in drawers, but it is practically impossible to index them satisfactorily and 1 they are not readily accessible. None of the available filing devices for such material has proven to be satisfactory.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective filing device in which the drawings or the like are suspended and from which they can be removed quickly and conveniently.

The device is adapted for use in storage vaults, drafting rooms, shops, etc., and can be installed in any convenient location. It can be expanded readily to accommodate any number of drawings, each of which is, nevertheless, available for examination or removal with the minimum of effort and delay. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawing illustrating the preferred embodiment. In the drawing,

[Fig 1 is a view in elevation of the improved filing device;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a plurality of the devices assembled;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlar ed view in perspective of the supporting arm and hangers; and

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of a fastener.

In carrying out the invention I provide a suitable arm which is adapted to be mounted on a support so that the arm will project therefrom. The arm is preferably pivoted so as to swing about a vertical axis, and a number of such arms may be mounted in contiguous relation. The number of arms will depend upon the quantity, of material to be filed. The arms maybe made preferably of metal of suitable sections and should be provided with an upwardly directed flange. Conveniently a channel section may be employed forthe arm, with opposite upwardly directed flanges. This section aflords sufficient strength without excessive weight, and the flanges form a convenient support for the o0 hangers to which the sheets to be filed are i connected. These hangers may consist of short strips of metal with the edges turned over to afford flanges adapted to co-operate with those on the arms. Preferably two short strips are utilized for each sheet, although a single, longer strip may be used.. In either case, the sheets are connected to the hangers by means of fasteners such as are commonly used for filing papers. These fasteners consist of a base with two projecting prongswhich are adapted to pass through openings provided in the hanger or hangers and thence through the sheet to be suspended thereby. A cover plate having correspond- #5 ing openings and preferably provided with locking devices may be mounted on the prongs which are then bent to hold the sheets firmly in assembled relation with the hangers. The latter are mounted on the flange of the armso that the sheets are suspended. Where. a plurality of sheets are thus suspended on adjacent arms and the latter are pivoted, it will be apparent that the arms can be swung V laterally to give access to any particular sheet. The latter may be removed by simply lifting the hangers from the flanges on which they are supported. After the sheet has been utilized it may be returned to the file wherein it is suspended and thus preserved until it is needed again. 7

Referring to the drawin 5 indicatesa bracket which is adapted to e mounted on a wall or other sup-port 6.' An arm 7 inthe form of a channel section is pivotally mounted at 8 on the bracket 5. Another bracket 9 also secured to the wall or support carries a rod 10 which is pivoted at 11 .to the brack et and secured at 12 to' the arm 7. A turnbuckle 13 may be provided" to permit adjustment of the position of the arm 7 As indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, a plurality of arms 7 may be mounted in contiguous relation so as to permit the filing of a number of sheets in readily accessible arrangement.

The arm 7 is provided with upwardly directed flanges 14: to receive hangers 15 having down-turned edges 16 which embrace the flanges 14. As illustrated in the drawing, the hangers 15 comprise relatively short strips, but as hereinbefore indicated the lengthof the strips is a matter of choice and the hangers may, therefore, be substantially commensurate in length with the length of the arm 7. The hangers are provided with openings 17 to receive the prongs 18 of a fastener 19 (Fig. 5). A cover plate 20 with openings 21 adapted to receive the prongs 18 is provided, and locking devices 22 may be slidably mounted on the cover plate to secure the ends of the prongs 18. One or more sheets 23 may be secured to a hanger or hangers 15 by means of fasteners 19. The hanger or hangers may be supported then on the arm 7 so that the sheet or sheets are'suspended from the arm. It will be understood that the sheets thus suspended are readily accessible and can be removed with facility for examination and can be returned likewise to the file when the sheet is no longer needed. The sheets suspended in the file are protected and maintained in a flat condition as is desirable in order that they may serve their purpose most efficiently.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of the device without departing from the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

I claim:

1. In a filing device for drawings and the like, an arm comprising a channel member adapted to be pivotally mounted on a support for angular movement in a horizontal plane, and to project therefrom, said channel member having a pair of flanges spaced apart and projecting upwardly therefrom, a hanger having a cooperating downwardly projecting flange to slidingly engage either of said flanges on the channel member, clips for removably securing a sheet to the hanger whereby the sheet is suspended from the arm, the said downwardly projecting flange of the hanger and the clips being arranged to permit ready removal of the hanger from the flanges of the arm.

2. In a filing device for drawings and the like, an arm comprising a channel member adapted to be pivotally mounted on a support and to project therefrom, said channel member having a pair of flanges spaced apart and projecting upwardly therefrom and defining a continuous guideway, said guideway being open at its end remote from said pivotal support, a hanger having a co-operating downwardly projecting flangeto engage a 

